The Gladiator is a pickup truck built by Jeep/Stellantis. Its styling is based on the Wrangler, and many enthusiasts built Wrangler pickup truck conversions before the Gladiator version came to be.
Simplified Score: 2021 Jeep Gladiator
2021 Jeep Gladiator Review
In this video by Cars Simplified, Steve shares his thoughts on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator that he borrowed for a few weeks.
The Jeep Gladiator stands out among contemporary pickup trucks. With its Jeep Wrangler-like appearance, narrow bed, and convertible top, there are a lot of things about this truck that you don't get with other pickups.
This 2021 Jeep Gladiator came in Snazzberry Pearl red paint and rides on 245/75R17 tires. It is eqipped with a gasoline-powered 3.6L Pentastar V6 (285 HP/260 pound-feet of torque), which sends its power through an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive. When reviewed, it had roughly 12,400 miles on the odometer.
Styling: 6/10
The styling is definitely interesting for a truck, but they aren't going to consistently turn heads unless they happen to be rare in a particular region. It's not bad, but it does combine flashy with minimalist in a way that just won't be everyone's taste.
Performance: 4/10
With just a 3.6L Pentastar V6 to propel it, it's not sluggish, but it's not what goes for sporty in modern times, either. The handling is nice, but it's still a pickup truck.
Comfort: 5/10
There's very little to praise or complain about here. A noisy cabin keeps this rating right in the middle, where it otherwise might have broken into "six" territory.
Utility: 7/10
The truck bed looks like it would be quite limiting, but it turned out to be more useful than it looks! Between that, the usable seating, and ability to tow, this is a very usable vehicle.
Quality: 4/10
The dials, switches, and interior parts left a lot to be desired. At 12,400 miles, it has had time to get broken in, and the owner reports no major issues, so only the sloppy fit and finish is holding this score back.
- Steve